Free-agent first baseman/catcher Mike Napoli agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with the Boston Red Sox nearly a month ago. Yet, he remains unsigned amid a cloud of uncertainty.

According to The Boston Globe, the holdup is a pre-existing hip injury. The Red Sox would like to include a provision in the contract that protects them if Napoli’s condition becomes debilitating.

Mike Napoli free agency 2013: A hip issue is holding up an agreement with the Red Sox. (AP Photo)

Despite the long process, manager John Farrell insists that the organization still wants Napoli to be a part of the 2013 squad.

“That is still being worked on,” Farrell told 98.5 FM radio in Boston. “As (general manager) Ben (Cherington) has mentioned, there are no updates in terms of where that situation exists. We’re hopeful he is in a Red Sox uniform, but there are still things to work through.

“The thing that has not changed is Mike Napoli is a clear-cut target for us. We’re not turning the page on this situation as of today, and that’s not to allude that at some point in the future we’re going to. But our goal, and Ben’s goal, is to get something worked out and a deal in place.”

In 108 games with the Texas Rangers in 2012, Napoli hit .227/.343/.469 with 24 homers and 56 RBIs. He has played in more than 114 games only once in his seven-season major league career.